This collection consists mainly of letters and questionnaires written between
1904-1908 related to the inquiries of Mary Forman (1843-1918) about specific details of the history of mid 19th-century Los
Angeles, California.
General topics include Los Angeles history, California state and local
government, crime, medicine, architecture, education, land allotment, churches,
agriculture, Indians, the Mexican War, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.

Background

Mary Agnes Gray Forman (1843-1918) came to the Los Angeles, California, area as a child in 1851
from Covington, Kentucky, via El Paso, Texas. Her father was killed by Indians during the
journey from Texas to California; her mother, Charlotte, married John Rowland in
1852. In 1862, Mary Agnes Gray married Charles Forman (1835-1919), a California and
Nevada pioneer who was, among other things, the owner of a successful coal mine, a
Major General of the Nevada Volunteers, a Knight Templar, a Deputy Secretary of
State (of California), and a surveyor (in Los Angeles). After moving to Los Angeles
from Nevada, Charles Forman founded the Kern River Company, which provided Los
Angeles with electricity from the Kern River, and which later merged with the
Pacific Light and Power Company, of which Forman became secretary. He was also a
prominent member of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.

Extent

158 pieces in 2 boxes

Restrictions

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to
quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such
activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is
one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Availability

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services
Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.